Intelligent Sorting System

This project presents the design of an intelligent sorting system that integrates the
pneumatic system and X-Y Robot as actuator, the Vision Sensor and the
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). This automated sorting system is designed
with the main aim of reducing production time in manufacturing line that involves
product sorting. In the industry, most sorting procedures are still done by humans
which a re e rror prone and s low.With t he industrymoving t owards a pplication o f
automation, this project is thus relevant.
The main objective in constructing this project is to integrate system components
into a sorting system using PLC, actuators which are the X-Y Robot and pneumatic
system, and the Vision Sensor. A Human Machine Interface (HMI) is created for the
PLC to be controlled via personal computer using Visual Basic.
The scope ofthis project will be within PLC programming for system controller,
pneumatic system design, setup and programming of the X-Y Robot, Vision Sensor
control, Visual Basic HMI creation, and system design and integration of the whole
system. Scope of literature review is within sorting system technology and approach.
This project starts off with preliminary research and literature review followed by
tools identification. Following steps include PLC parameter set-up and programming,
actuator design and setup, vision controller setup and system integration. Each
components of the system are tested individually and then integrated into a complete
system. The system is then tested to operate in production mode to cater for
industrial objective, which in this case to sort target objects.
The project achieves all the main objectives underlines. Each major component is
designed, developed and tested to be functioning well. The system integration
comprises all the relevant components, all connected and communicating with each
other. System integration is complete and successful. The project is completed within
the time frame and serves the problem statement